I wonder how this works if you intend to travel should the train be on time, but become aware of the delay (or likelihood of it) and change your plans - what counts as proof of intent?
It would be better if the law was changed so that any transport company selling a ticket is forced to refund if they couldn't fulfil their obligation, regardless of whether the ticket was used or intended to be used. Can't provide the service? Then don't sell it!
If you choose not to travel, then you are eligible for a refund, rather than Delay Repay:
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/help-and-assistance/compensat...
There’s differences in consumer rights effectively between a refund and compensation (like DR)
What’s fraudulent about traveling without intending to travel?
Claiming delay compensation if you don’t have intent to travel is the fraud part.
Easiest example is if you have a season ticket, but you have the day off. You weren’t going to take the train to work that day, so no intent to travel. If you claim DR, then that’s fraud for the compensation.
But you end up hundreds of miles away from home, who could possibly argue that you moved halfway across the country without intent?
If you didn’t actually intend to travel, then claiming DR is fraud.